How Long Does it Take for CBD Oil to Work?

So you’ve heard of CBD oil. You have heard that taking CBD oil can have benefits to your health. But what can it do, and how long does it take to work? It is important to remember that we’re all different and the health benefits of CBD oil can vary from person to person, but there are a number of factors which can affect the amount of time that it takes for CBD oil to work.

Whilst here in the UK we cannot promote CBD oil for medicinal purposes, it is unquestionably positive to our overall health when taken as a health supplement.

What can CBD Oil do for You?

The potentials for CBD are enormous, but there is still a lot of research to be done to understand all the positive effects of consuming CBD oil. Having said that, there is quite a lot that we do know.

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the components of the cannabis plant. Although it is derived from the cannabis plant, the CBD oil which is sold in the UK is usually made from hemp, which has a very low THC level. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the part of the cannabis plant which gives you the high. It is illegal to sell anything in the UK with over a 0.2% level of THC, and so the CBD oil which can be bought in the UK will not give you any sort of a ‘high’, even though CBD oil products can be bought at different (CBD) strengths.

The human body’s endocannabinoid system was discovered through research about the effect of cannabis on the body. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system can help to regulate the internal balance of your body – or create homeostasis – as it is known. The endocannabinoids and their receptors can be found all around the body including in the brain and other organs, so by giving your system balance, it can only be beneficial to your general health and well-being. As a health supplement, regular use of CBD oil is recommended to give yourself the long-term health benefits which are associated with it.

CBD Concentration

It goes without saying that the amount of CBD that you are consuming will have an effect on what it does to your body. There is, at this time no research showing any harm is caused by high doses of CBD, and the level of the dose will not affect how quickly the CBD takes to work.

It is, of course, recommended that users start off with a lower dose and build up to larger doses as you will feel an effect of especially high doses of CBD. By building up from lower doses you can find the one which is right for you.

CBD Consumption

There are a number of different ways in which you can consume CBD oil. Depending on the method – or methods – that you prefer, the CBD oil can be absorbed into your system at different speeds. Some people like to vape, some like sprays, some prefer to take it in capsule form, and some like to apply it to their skin.

So what’s the difference between each different method?

Vaping – The fastest way to absorb CBD is through vaping. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream (through the lungs) meaning that the effect will be almost instant, and it will also last for a few hours. As the CBD is absorbed through the lungs and not the digestive system, you can get up to four times the amount that you might do otherwise if it was taken in through the stomach and intestine.

To be able to vape, you need to buy a vape pen or a vaporiser. A vape pen is like an e-cigarette which you smoke in a similar fashion, whereas a vaporiser is usually put over the face and the vapour is inhaled.

You then buy the CBD e-liquid which you put into the vape pen or vaporiser and smoke or inhale the vapour.

By using a vape or vaporiser you cut out any other issues that you might have with smoking as you are consuming the CBD in its purest form.

Sprays – The CBD oil spray is usually applied under the tongue. When you use it, spray it under the tongue and keep it there for a short while before you can swallow it. Substances can be absorbed a lot quicker through the lining of the mouth than through the digestive system.

Although it does have an ‘acquired taste’, it can easily be disguised afterwards by eating or drinking something with a different taste if you don’t like it. Using a spray is the second quickest way to absorb CBD after vaping, and will take between about 20 and 40 minutes to come into effect.

Topical – Some people prefer to get their CBD through topical application – in a balm or cream. This can be rubbed onto the skin, and the CBD is absorbed – albeit slowly. The topical use of a balm or cream can take over an hour to work, but its effects can also last for over 5 hours.

CBD Capsules – The method of consuming CBD that takes the longest to work is through capsules. Capsules can be taken orally – just like any other health supplement. This makes it easy to take (and remember to take), but its effectiveness can be influenced by other factors. It is recommended that CBD capsules are taken on an empty stomach, as depending on when and what you last ate, what is absorbed and how quickly it’s absorbed can vary. It can take up to two hours for the CBD to come into effect, but it can last for four to five hours.

Other Factors

In addition to the method of consumption of CBD oil, the other main factor in how long it takes to work is about the make-up of your body. Your body type, height and weight can make a difference in how quickly it comes into effect and the dosage that you take.

Taking CBD oil as a health supplement can really have a positive effect on our general health and well-being, and the main factor to how long it takes for the CBD oil to take effect is how it is consumed. Each individual should find a good balance between their preferred method of consumption and when they want it to start working.